About 3 weeks ago,the enginestarted making newnoises... It sounded like a fan belt was flapping around so I checked the oil... it was a bit low sotopped it up and the noise was gone... I rode it to work and back (25km)with no troubles. Next day the noise was back. The oil was low again but I couldn't see any leaks so I topped it up again. Sounded fine...I rode up to 1770 to meet waz57to buy his old seat off him (300km)... when I got back the oil level hadn't changed but I did notice the wheel was spinning while idling on the centrestand in neutral. I decided the change the oil and filter... refilled it with 3.8L as the manual said but didn't bother to check the dipstick before I started it up to idle and warm up.

While it was running and slowly spinning the rear wheel in neutral, I oiled the chain. The exhaust popped 3 times... about 3 seconds apart then ran real roughfor long enough for me to blip the throttle the get it to idle properly again but instead thethrottle flooded it andstalled instead.

I checked the dipstick and the oil was nowhere to be seen. I poured in the last 200ml from the 4L bottle and that got it half way up the dipstick.

I suppose that means it was running with oil below the min on the dipstick for about 2 minutes. Now, it will try to start but seems to only be getting one cylinder to fire.

I figure it can't be seized otherwise it wouldn't be turning over

Any thoughts?

 

Don't panic I don't think you have runned the engine with to little oil. The different oil levels can be normal and just the result you get by checking the oil directly when the engine has runned. I would start to check the plugs and change them if that hasn't been done for a while. If that doesn't help, I would check the valve clearances. If those are OK I would take the carbs apart, you may have a leaking float valve.

Other may come with more and better ideas.

 

Like he said I wouldn't worry about the oil level. Bikes actually only need about 500ml to a lire of oil to run. The rest of the oil is just to help cooling and cleaning. I had a GXS250 that went through oil a lot. I couldn't be stuffed checking it every day so I would just ride it until the light came on.

The wheel turning in neutral is normal when on the centrestand. There is always a small amout of drag.

I'd say you just have dodgy fuel/carb problem.

 

Don't stress to much!! Change all the plugs and make sure that the filter is clean!! make sure the timing is fine it is possible that somehow the timing went out and that is why she was backfiring!! Clean all the fuel supply if you can, this will help lots!!

 

yeah you're all on the money with it being a fuel problem... turned the tap to reserve and it started fine...[>:]

at least now I know the engine can survive with low oil better than with low fuel

 

I am glad you got her to start man!!!

 

Len I bet the fuel was from a United dealer ?? I WILL NOT USE UNITE DIN MY BIRD !!! I recall I had just about the same problem with my old red bike she used to kill plugs all the time so I stopped using united fuel put a couple of bottles of carby / injector clean and I bet when I fire her up today first time for a number of weeks she will kick first time. Try a new set of plugs too as I bet they are glazzed.

 

i always use caltex... there was nothing wrong with the fuel... just the reserve tank was needed...

 

I know I read your last post and had to laugh, but I just wanted to let you know about my eperiance with Untied and my local bike dealer had a few bad reports as well